Steve's "Alembird" Project

[basstard]

This one is going to be AWESOME.
 
No, wait. It already is.

[mica]

While we're at it, make sure the back is a goodie:  

 

 I apologize for the back of the peghead picture, it's not dull-looking at all, but all 3 shots I took look like it is. Colors are the same as the rest of the bass - it's all painted at the same time afterall.

[sfnic]

The neck lam mix for this bass is absolutely fantastic.  On its own, it's subdued and not nearly as eye-catching as a maple/PH lam setup might be, but in the context of the Firebird body, it's absolutely perfect.
 
Especially down the back, with the amber center area of the 'burst.  It's incredibly evocative of the original Gibsons, while at the same time being pure Alembic.
 
I was there while Mica was taking the pictures (hi, Bill, great to meet you!), and can confirm what Bill says:  as great as it looks in the pictures, it'll blow your eyes out when you see it in person.
 
nic

[mica]

Here's Bob's latest finish:
 

 
Now's the time you say, it's perfect, if in fact, it is.  
 
Isn't it?

[mica]

Oh yeah, I quickly stuck some black in for the fingerboard and pickups, just to help the visualization:
 

[rraymond]

Oh man, I want one! That is killer, Steve!
 
Reid

[s_wood]

Absolutely perfect!!!  Bob really nailed it!!!  Wow!!!

[palembic]

though nailing wouldn't be the appropriate word to describe his action to produce this piece of art.
Nice ...really!
 
Paul TBO

[jeff]

Steve,
 
I'm so glad that you had your bass refinished to allow much more of that strikingly beautiful quilted maple to shine through. This bass is going to be a true, one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

[gare]

I'm gonna cry..I want one too !  
Love the finish...

[s_wood]

It really is beautiful, isn't it?  I love the old-school vibe of the whole thing, and because it's an Alembic I know it will play and sound great.  Can't wait to get it in my hands!

[s_wood]

The Alembird is finished!  
 
I'll post some photos when I get a chance to take them, but as you can see from the shots above the bass is absolutely gorgeous.  The finish really makes the killer quilt maple top scream!  As beautiful as the bass is, though, it's the tone of the Alembird that really kills.  
 
I am really blown away by the fantastic and unique tone of the bass.  The all-mahagony neck and unique pickup placement of the Alembird were copied from the original Thunderbird, and by doing so we have created a bass that produces incredibly warm and singing upper mids just like the original T-Bird, but with the clarity and extended bass response of an Alembic. It's an Alembird for sure!  
 
An unexpected benefit of the warmth of the mahagony neck's tone is that the Alembird comes pretty close to nailing that classic Jazz bass rear pickup Jaco burp!  I've never been able to  really coax that tone out of my maple neck Series basses, but the Alembird comes as close as you can get with a neck-through bass and wide aperture        pickups.  The filter and 3 position Q switch for each pickup allows me to sharpen the high end to add that characteristic Alembic clarity should I want it, and I can almost get the bass back to that classic Alembic grand piano tone.  
 
How about this for Alembic magic?  If you have ever played a Thunderbird you know that they are brutally neck heavy - take your hand off the neck and the peghead dives right to the floor! However, by re-designing the peghead and using Hipshot Ultralight tuners the magicians at Alembic have created a bass that balances perfectly!  
 
I am really blown away by how well Susan, Mica and the gang were able to take my dream of combining the Thunderbird's looks and unique tonal characteristics with Alembic's tonal clarity and build quality.  I've been dreaming about this bass for years, but the reality created by Alembic far surpasses my own hopes for the project.
 
This bass is my own personal tribute to John Entwistle.  Now, if you will excuse me I am going to go re-learn The Real Me with my Alembird!

[David Houck]

No practicing until the pics are posted!!
 
Congrats!!!

[eastcoastepic]

Steve, puh-leez post pics of that 30 year-old Brazilian Rosewood fretboard!! (Oh, and the rest of the bass, as well)    
I must say, you're a man of great patience (2 yrs + in the making)...congratulations on a truly unique creation...

[johnnybassboy]

Steve, I continue to be blown away by your dedication to your basses. Susan, Mica and crew: your ability to knock one out of the park... what can I say? No other company in the world could have done what you people seem to do routinely.